Connector for printed circuit boards



DC- 8, 1964 P. F. GRECO ETAL 3,160,459

CONNECTOR FCR PRINTED CIRCUIT Bonos Filed Feb. 17, 1,961 2 Sheets-Sheet Il.'v

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CONNECTOR FOR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb` 17, 1961 IN V EN TORJ Pe'reR E G'RCo Rocco J. Nessus BY 4 TTOR MEV United States Patent O 3,16ti,459 CGNNECTR FR PRENTED CIRCUIT BOARDS Peter F. Greco, Norwalk, and Rocco J. Noschese, Rowayton, Conn., assignors to llur'ndy Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 17, 1%1, Ser. No. 90,085 Claims. (Cl. 339-176) This invention relates to connectors, especially of the type to receive printed circuit boards.

The prior art contains many multiple miniature connectors which are designed to receive printed circuit boards or plugs provided with mating multiple-circuit contacts. These connectors generally have resilient metal contacts which are permanently mounted in the connector body and to which wire leads are permanently soldered.

These connectors suier from several disadvantages: the contacts have only a single tlat contact-making surface; which does not assure a good contact, especially under circumstances of severe vibration; and also have inherentlyk a rather low removal force capability. By removal force is meant the force necessary to extract the plug from the connector. Thewire leads to the contacts cannot be conveniently removed and replaced; preventing ready modification of circuitry or testing, etc.V A defective contact cannot be removed from the connector body and replaced; resulting in replacement of the entire multiple contact connector.

An object of this invention is to provide a connector having contacts of novel coniigura-tion which supply several contact areas capable of making good contact, and which have inherently a very high removal force capability, all lin spite of any severe vibration.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connector having contacts to which conductors may be readily connected and disconnected.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a connector having contacts which may be readily remo-vedV and replaced. v

A feature of this invention is a dielectric body having a` central cavity containing a plurality of ,spaced-apart contact members, each having a series of reversely-bent elements, at least the innermost element having a longitudinal slit and a mediate bend.

lThese and other objects and features of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taking in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a view in cross-sectional elevation of one embodiment of the connector of this invention and alternative plug members;

FIG. 1B is a partial cross-section view of a plug or board of the type used with this invention;

FIG. 1C is a partial cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of a plug or board of the type used with this invention;

FIG. 2a and 2b are plan and cross-sectional elevation views of the Contact member illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View in crossasection of another embodiment ot the connector of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective View in crossssection of yet another embodiment of the connector of this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective View in cross-section of even another embodiment of the connector of this invention.

Referring to FIG. l, reference character 1 indicates a body portion having a cavity 2, and an associated end cap 3, both made of dielectric material. The cap 3 may be secured to the body 1 by screws, bolts or the like (not shown). An interlocking key 4 and keyway 5, or the like. assure accurate alignment of the body and cap. Similar ICC spring contacts 6 and 7 are mounted in the cavity 2 in opposed relationship. Contact 6 includes a pair of reverse bends 8 and 9 forming ,a Z shaped compression spring, including elements 10, 11 and 12. Elements 11 and 12 are split longitudinally by a Vslit 6a into two subelements 11a, 11b and 12a, 12b, respectively. Each subelement is bent mediately, as at 13a and 13b, respectively. The free end of element 12 is bent again at 14 and 15 tto provide a tab 16. The free end of element 10 is bent at 17 and formed into two cylindrical sockets 18 and 19 which are adapted to receive plugs, e.g. Z0 which are connected to wires, e.g. 21. A dimple or other constriction 22 is formed into each socket tovinterlock witha groove 23 formed in the .tip of the plug 20. The plug may be conveniently inserted and removed from the socket. The removal force required is a function of the height of the dimple.

In assembly, the spring contacts 6 and 7 are inserted into the cavity 2, tab 16 being disposed in cavity portion- 24, and sockets 18 and 19 being disposed in cavity portion 25 and 26 respectively. End cap 3 is then secured to body portion 1, the orifices 27 and 28 in the cap being aligned with the cavities 27 and 28 respectively.

In use, a plug or board 40 having contact strips, as at 41 and 42 is inserted into the orifice generally indicated at 46 in the body 1, until obstructed by stop 47. Contact areas 12C, 12d, 12e and 12f of subelements 12a and 12b` make a four point, resilient contact with contact strip 41 which will be maintained in good contact regardless of Isevere vibrational conditions. VIt will also be noted that as the board 40 is inserted, the contact areas 12C, 12d, 12e and 12f wipe the contact strip 41, providinga mutual cleaning of the contact surfaces. Further, contact areas 12f and 12e preclean the strip 41 for areas 12d and 12e. Alternatively, a plug or board 43 having a profile which is similar or the mate to that of element 12, including a bulge at 44 and 45, may be inserted into the connector. In addition to the vibration-proof contact obtained by the four point resilient contact of element 12, a high removal force capability is obtained by the interlocking of bulge 44with bends 13a and 13b. t

Additionally, a polarizing key 50, which also has a prolile which is the mateto that of element 12 may be inserted into the connector. The key will effectively block the contact into which it is inserted, requiring any board y or plug which is subsequently inserted into the connector 302 in which are disposed spring contacts 306 and 307 iny opposed relationship. Contacts 306 and 307 havexa series of elements `310, 311 and 312,and a slit 3:06a, which are formed and utilized in a manner similar to that of elements 10, 11 and 12, and slit 6a previously described. The free end of element 312 is bent into a tab 316 which is disposed in cavity portion 324. A cylindrical socket 318 is formed in a mediate potrion of the spring contact which 1s adapted to receive a plug, e.g. 320, which'is connected to a wire e.g. 321. A reverse bend is formed in the free end of the spring contact adjacent to the socket forming a tab 322 which interlocks with a shoulder 323 formed on the plug 320. Obviously the dimple and groove scheme previously described, or any equivalent locking scheme, could be utilized.

In assembly, the spring contacts 306 and 307 are inserted from the Wire side of the connector and are locked 1n place by the abutment of socket face 318e against cavity face 302a and the engagement of tab 316 in cavity portion 324. Plug 320 may be inserted easily into socket 318 until `tab 322 snaps behind shoulder 323, locking the plug in place. It is necessary tto insert a probe to depress tab 322 when itis desired to remove plug 320.

VIn use, a board or plug of the type illustrated by 40 rr 43 is inserted through orifice 346 into abutment Y top'347, as described above.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated Y n FIGURE 4, wherein body portion 401 has a bifurcated favity 402 in which are disposed spring contacts 406 and 07 in opposed relationship substantially identical to conacts 306 and 307, previously discussed. However, in bis embodiment no tabs are formed on'the spring conacts to secure the wire plugs. Rather, each plug, e.g. 20, has disposed thereon two tabs 422, which are adapted o interlock with cavity portion 423., For removal of the lug, tabs 422 may be depressed by aytweezer-type tool nserted through keyways 460 and 461.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated 1 FIGURE 5, wherein body portion 5%1 has a bifurcated avity 502 in which are disposed spring contacts 50e and Y 'i G7 in opposed relationship substantially identical to eleients 366 and 307 previously discussed; However, in `1is embodiment neither sockets nor tabs are formed on se spring contacts to receive .and retain theV plugs. lather, a return bent element Sla and 5181 is formed 3 receive externally a socket 520. The free end` of 1 lement 51801` abuts the cavity wall Silla and together lith tab S16 in cavity 524 (similar to cavity24)V retains 1e spring contact in the body. 'A tab 52.2 is disposed n socket S20 which is adapted to interlock with cavity ortion 523. For removal of the socket, tab 522 may e depressed by, a probe inserted through keyway 561D.

The invention has thus been described but itis desired x be understood that it is not confined to thek particular )rms or usages shown and described. The same being lerely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried ut in other ways without Ldeparting from the spirit of the ivention, and therefore, the right is broadly claimed to nploy all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the :ope of the appendant claims, and by means of which `ojects of this invention are attained and new results ac- Jmplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodi-y lenits herein shown and described are only some of theV lany that can be employed to obtain these objects and :complish these results.

We claim: y

1. An electrical connector assembly for aY printed ciriit board comprising:

a receptacle member and Y p a plurality of plug members;

said receptacle member including a housing of dielec gtrio material having a front and rear face, ya slot for` receiving said printedV circuitboard in said front face, r

central body portion including a longitudinal" slit forming two resilient sublegs, l whereby a plurality of independent contact areas are provided to engage a printed circuit board disposed through said slot, and one of said plug members being disposed through said rear face opening and contacting the rear portion of said contact,

interlockingy means on said plug member and said re-k ceptacle member to resist the withdrawal'of said plug member from said receptacle member.

2. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said resilient sublegs includes at least one mediate bend on anaXes transverse to said longitudinal slit to form a plurality of contact areas on Yeach subleg.

3. AV connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rearV portionof sm'd contact comprisesV a socket element having a plurality of resilient fingers having their free ends disposed with opposed edges.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a :shoulder adjacent said rear face and' directed towards the center ofA said rear face opening and means ups-tanding from said plug member to interlock with said shoulderwhen said plug is Iinserted in the rear portion of said printed circuit contact. f

5. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said Vplug includes a peripheralV discontinuity and the rear l portion of said printed. circuit Contact includes Va locking a plurality of spaced-apart', parallel contact-receiving.V

bores intersecting said printed circuit board-receiving slot,

a plurality of openings in said rear face, at least one linger to cooperate with said discontinuity tolock said plug to said printed circuit contact.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Obszarny SeptfS, 1942 t 2,539,230 Craig Jan. 23, 1951 2,875,425 Gilbert Feb.i24, 1959 2,911,612 Jackson et al. Nov. 3, 1959 2,921g287 Matthysse et al. Jan. 12,1960 y2,937,357 Kennedy May 17, 1960 2,938,190 .Krehbiel May 24, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Y 882,698 Great Britain Nov. 15, 1961 the portion of said Z vshaped spring remote from said 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD COMPRISING: A RECEPTACLE MEMBER AND A PLURALITY OF PLUG MEMBERS; SAID RECEPTACLE MEMBER INCLUDING A HOUSING OF DIELECTRIC MATERIAL HAVING A FRONT AND REAR FACE, A SLOT FOR RECEIVING SAID PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD IN SAID FRONT FACE, A PLURALITY OF SPACED-APART, PARALLEL CONTACT-RECEIVING BORES INTERSECTING SAID PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD-RECEIVING SLOT, A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS IN SAID REAR FACE, AT LEAST ONE ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF SAID CONTACT-RECEIVING BORES AND COMMUNICATING THEREWITH; AND A UNITARY CONTACT OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL COMPLETELY DISPOSED IN AT LEAST ONE SAID CONTACT-RECEIVING BORES; SAID CONTACT HAVING A REAR PORTION FOR MATING WITH ONE OF SAID PLUG MEMBERS AND ALIGNED WITH ONE OF SAID REAR FACE OPENINGS, A CENTRAL BODY PORTION AND, A FRONT CONTACT PORTION FOR ENGAGING SAID PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, SAID FRONT PORTION HAVING TWO RETURN BENDS TO FORM A SUBSTANTIALLY Z SHAPED COMPRESSION SPRING, THE PORTION OF SAID Z SHAPED SPRING REMOTE FROM SAID CENTRAL BODY PORTION INCLUDING A LONGITUDINAL SLIT FORMING TWO RESILIENT SUBLEGS, WHEREBY A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENT CONTACT AREAS ARE PROVIDED TO ENGAGE A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD DISPOSED THROUGH SAID SLOT, AND ONE OF SAID PLUG MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED THROUGH SAID REAR FACE OPENING AND CONTACTING THE REAR PORTION OF SAID CONTACT, INTERLOCKING MEANS ON SAID PLUG MEMBER AND SAID RECEPTACLE MEMBER TO RESIST THE WITHDRAWAL OF SAID PLUG MEMBER FROM SAID RECEPTACLE MEMBER. 